Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Home Upgrades: Your Path to Wellness In Your Own Four Walls
A healthy home is more than a mere concept - it's a lifestyle. In our busy lives, it can be easy to lose track of its importance; but did you know that a few upgrades and replacements could turn your space into a health haven?
Houseplants can help keep your home’s air clean
Let's Clear the Air
When we think about pollution, our minds tend to immediately think of city streets or beaches littered with trash - not of unseen pollutants hiding within our own homes! Indoor air quality is a significant but often neglected component of domestic life that deserves our consideration and upgrade. We spend most of our time indoors where, surprisingly, the air can often be two to five times more polluted than outdoor environments.
Air purifiers offer one way of combatting this invisible foe. They remove dust mites, mold spores and synthetic fragrances found in cleaning products that could contribute to allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments. So how do we deal with such invisible threats? Devices equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters work to capture harmful particles and improve indoor air quality within your home.
Upgrading to an air purifier is not only an essential step towards leading a healthier lifestyle but also an investment into your well-being. Making this simple switch will literally help you breathe easier knowing that the air in your home is clean and free from pollutants. Remember, fresh air is not simply an outdoor luxury; it should also be part of everyday living!
Pet allergens can be cleared with frequent filter replacement
Chill with HVAC Replacement
A home's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system is at the core of good health. Inefficient or outdated HVAC units may not only lead to lower efficiency levels but may also contribute to poor indoor air quality - potentially creating an invisible enemy within. An outdated HVAC system may be doing more harm than good due to years of accumulation of dust and allergens, so replacing it may be beneficial.
A more modernized version provides better temperature control, air quality improvements, and energy savings benefits than its predecessor. High-quality HVAC systems incorporate health-friendly features, such as whole-house dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth and advanced air purification systems to filter out pollutants from the air. Modern HVAC systems are becoming more intelligent, enabling you to control your home environment using your smartphone and ensure a perfectly comfortable and healthy atmosphere when you come home.
We use pinto beans as cat litter…talk about clean living for our pets! We describe our process in the video below or via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
An investment in a new HVAC replacement is like hiring an invisible health guardian who works around-the-clock to keep your home not just comfortable but healthful as well. So consider replacing that outdated model with something sleeker - it could be beneficial to your wellbeing.
Natural lighting is best in a home
Lighting Up Your Life
Lighting can have more of an effect on your health and happiness than you might realize; natural sunlight provides us with essential vitamin D which plays a key role in maintaining good health. Solar light has long been recognized for its positive benefits to human health: helping regulate our internal body clock, elevating mood and even increasing vitamin D stored in our bodies.
Unfortunately, most of us spend significant amounts of time indoors; thus making relying solely on sunlight an impossibility. Now comes smart lighting. LEDs are energy-saving lighting options that can emulate sunlight's spectrum and adjust with its changing hues, offering a lifelike lighting experience.
Cooler, brighter light in the morning can help increase alertness and concentration; warmer dimmer lighting at night signals to your body that it's time to wind down and relax. LEDs do not produce flicker rate or emit blue light that causes eye strain. Upgrading to smart lighting is more than just aesthetic; it offers health benefits too!
Your Kitchen Crusaders
Your kitchen should serve more than just as a place for food preparation; it should also serve as the hub of your home and be an integral component in creating a healthier lifestyle. Consider swapping out nonstick cookware with stainless steel or cast iron alternatives. Non-stick pans often contain perfluorinated compounds that release toxic fumes when heated, so be wary when choosing them for cooking purposes.
Also consider upgrading to a water filtration system. While most tap water has been declared safe to drink, quality filters can further remove trace chemicals and metals that might otherwise make their way into drinking water. Reducing carbon emissions while keeping food fresher with cutting-edge technologies requires energy-efficient appliances. One such energy-star certified refrigerator not only reduces your carbon footprint but also features cutting-edge features to keep its contents cool.
And don't forget the unsung hero of the kitchen - an energy star certified kitchen exhaust fan. An efficient exhaust system reduces airborne grease, combustion products, fumes, smoke, odors, and steam in your cooking environment, contributing to healthier cooking conditions and living spaces. In other words, these kitchen heroes do more than add value; they're actually improving health every day! So let your kitchen be the centerpiece of a healthier home!
Your sleeping area should be clean and clear of clutter
Restful Respite
Sleep is of the utmost importance, and your bedroom plays an integral part in providing restful respite. Make a start by replacing your current mattress with one from an organic or hypoallergenic brand. Conventional mattresses often contain materials which can trigger allergies and worsen respiratory ailments, exacerbating health concerns further. Investment in blackout curtains or shades can significantly enhance sleep quality by limiting light intrusion, particularly beneficial to daytime sleepers and urban residents with intense night-time lighting.
Don't neglect your air quality either - make sure it remains at an acceptable level! Integrate indoor plants such as snake plants or peace lilies that purify air into your environment, as well as investing in an air purifier to further filter out dust, allergens and toxins. Maintain a balanced humidity level using a dehumidifier in order to ward off mold and mildew, which are common sources of allergic reactions and respiratory ailments. Transforming your bedroom into a relaxing oasis requires more than aesthetic upgrades - it involves creating an atmosphere which promotes relaxation and well-being naturally.
Try using natural elements in your home decor
A Healthy Home: A Sound Investment
Even small changes can have significant implications on your wellbeing, so by making conscious choices regarding upgrades and replacements to your home, you invest not just in its value but in yourselves as individuals. Remember, health is wealth! Your home is your bank where deposits can be made!
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.